Pomodoro Sauce Sugo Di Pomodoro

Sugo di Pomodoro is Italian for “tomato sauce”. And this classic Italian tomato sauce is truly the best sauce I’ve ever tasted. It’s not the same tomato sauce that we’re familiar with in the States. Tomato sauce in the U.S. comes in a can and tastes similar to tomato paste. In Italy, “tomato sauce” is an art form and also a staple in many recipes. I would even dare to say most Italians don’t even have a written Pomodoro sauce recipe. They just know it by heart (and taste). But use this recipe next time you want to try a classic, truly tasty sauce over your chicken Parmesan, Pasta Pomodoro or other favorite pasta dishes.

Ingredients in Authentic Italian Pomodoro Sauce

We learned how to make real, Italian pomodoro sauce from the chefs at the Accadamia MedEATerranea in Naples, Italy as part of our tour with the Greatest Tomatoes From Europe. Here’s what you need:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Use for cooking the garlic, also used to lightly drizzle over the top for extra flavor after cooking. Garlic – Infuses the sauce with delicious, bright flavor Tomatoes – The main ingredient. The quality of your tomatoes (pomodori) can make or break this recipe. Don’t worry, I will elaborate below so you know how to get the best. Salt – Cuts the acidic taste of the tomatoes and brings out the true flavors Fresh Basil Leaves– Brings in the fresh, robust flavor that rounds out the sauce to perfection. Onions (optional) – adds extra flavor but is not required to make a true pomodoro sauce.

What Pomodoro Sauce Is

Pomodoro sauce is…

simple. Just a few easy ingredients that you can find at most grocery stores. smooth. The texture is smooth and saucy and will beautifully coat any pasta. The liquidity of this sauce is smooth, not too runny and not too thick. flavorful. Though the ingredients are simple, the flavor profile is bright and savory. light. Pasta al Pomodoro (pasta with tomatoes) is just that. It’s a quick, no frills, light pasta dish.

What Pomodoro Sauce ISN’T

Pomodoro sauce is NOT…

complicated. With pomodoro sauce, less is MORE. You won’t need to add Italian seasoning, oregano, peppers, red peppers, red pepper flakes, thyme, fresh herbs or other spices to this delicate sauce. chunky. Ok I hate that word, but still. Coarsely chopped ingredients are better suited for marinara sauce, ragu, or bolognese. meaty. This sauce doesn’t need Italian sausage, ground beef or anything else. If you are looking for a meaty, robust pasta sauce, try our Meaty Bolognese sauce.

The Art of Making Pomodoro Sauce

Pomodoro sauce is made by sautéing a little garlic in olive oil and then whole tomatoes are added and simmered until they become soft. The longer you cook down the tomatoes the more the juices will release and the better it will taste. Once they are soft you can blend them with an immersion blender (or regular blender) until smooth. Add some basil and toss with your favorite pasta or over homemade potato gnocchi.

The Tomatoes

As mentioned above, this recipe is all about the tomatoes. You can’t just grab any ol’ can of whatever tomatoes you find on the shelf at the store and expect a good quality pomodoro sauce. Some care needs to be taken in finding the right ones. You have two choices here: Fresh or canned.

Fresh Tomatoes

If you want to use fresh tomatoes, make sure you are using a GOOD quality tomato. If not from your garden, opt for tomatoes from the farmer’s market. Try to get juicy, red plum tomatoes from a reputable market. Drop your whole tomatoes in boiling water then place in ice water to make the skins easier to remove. Cut tomatoes in half (remove seeds if desired) and cook according to the recipe below.

Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are undeniably the easiest way to go and you will pretty much get the same outcome as using fresh tomatoes. You can’t just use any canned tomatoes though. You will want to get imported tomatoes (Pomodoro di Pelati) from Italy. No joke, I wrote an ENTIRE POST on this subject. Getting your tomatoes from Italy is a must. Get the peeled, WHOLE tomatoes. Not crushed. Not diced. Whole tomatoes only. DOP San Marzano tomatoes are the best and they can easily be identified at the store by the red DOP seal (think of it like the official “seal of approval” from Italy).

Can I use Pomodoro Sauce on Homemade Pizza?

You can, but do yourself a favor and don’t. Real, Italian pizza sauce is it’s own thing and should not be cooked. If you want to learn how to make pizza sauce the right way, click HERE. READ MORE: 10 Fun and Romantic Date Night at Home Ideas